Antifungal medicines (same as Fungicides)
Fungicides or Antifungal medicines
(fungi killers)
Over-the-counter (or OTC) antifungal drugs are not specific to particular fungal infections. Since fungi are different from us biochemically, and, as far as we know, none of them are considered our helpers or friends, the strategy of antifungal treatment is "kill them all, let the god sort them out".
OTC fungicides do not kill every living cell around. They specifically target fungal cells. Clotrimazole and other azoles, as well as tolnaftate and Lamisil essentially do the same. They deplete ergosterol, the substance playing the same role for fungi that choleste rol plays in our bodies. This leads to deterioration of fungal cell membranes.
Some doctors recommend antifungal medicines against certain bacterial skin infections too, although we could not find out how they are supposed to work. If the official bacterial theory of armpit odor is correct, fungicides may be considered as safe and effective bactericides available without prescription.
Marketing is a different issue. Checking with local pharmacies and groceries we have found, for example, orange-labeled Schering-Plough's Lotrimin cream in feet hygiene section. The label says: Lotrimin AF, Cures athlete's foot, ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Clotrimazole 1%, INACTIVE INGREDIENTS (let us skip those).
Usually there is another yellow-labeled Lotrimin nearby. The label says it cures jock itch (another instance of fungal infection). Predictably, active and inactive ingredients are exactly the same.
There also is Gyne-Lotrimin in femine hygiene sections. This one is supposed to cure vaginal infections. The packaging is very special, but the content has been changed very little. Specifically, water is replaced with purified water - probably, out of respect to the place.
Additionally, the same clotrimazole under the name of Lotrimin comes in different forms, like liquid, powder, etc. And it can be shop-branded too, just let us tell you that we had unsatisfying results with some shop brands.
Depending on the brand, some other common fungal infections may be mentioned in drug directions, like so-called ring worm (it's a fungus, not a worm). Still there are tens of those not mentioned. Apparently, they are not supposed to be recognized by lay people. OK, we just wanted to give you some idea of how this market operates in the US.
Here goes the list of non-prescription fungicides available here in central Ohio.
| Active Ingredient | Brand | Use |
| Clotrimazole | Many | Both |
| Miconazole | Many | Both |
| Econazole | Many | Both |
| Tioconazole | Many | Both |
| Undecylenic Acid | Many | Topical |
| Terbinafine Hydrochloride | Lamisil | Topical with restrictions* |
| Tolnaftate | Many | Topical |
*Among other reservations it is mentioned that Lamilis should not be applied to nails and scalp.
Filling the 3rd column (Use) we did not pay attention to labels, checking with National Institute of Health database of drugs instead. It provides actual names of active ingredients, brand names, description, directions to use, precautions, possible side effects, etc.
OTC fungicides come in a variety of forms. You may find the same active ingredients in different compositions packaged as liquids, sprays, powders, tissues, and so forth.